Peacebuilding and Conflict transformation
PEACEBUILDING IN THE GRASSROOTS IN D.R CONGO
FONDATION CHIREZI AND PEACE DIRECT
Capacity building of Clubs of Volunteers for Peace (COVP) within two Baraza (community Forums) of Kiliba and Kavinvira in DR Congo
Background
The mismanagement of the political crisis by political actors in the DR Congo in general and East in particular has led to the creation of many outbreaks of tension, conflict and intolerance between local people who nevertheless shared the same space and lived harmoniously together for centuries.
The wars that started in the country since 1996 and which the East part was the gateway, have heightened the tension and mistrust between different communities.
A gap of exclusion, deportation and dislike being observed in communities, has made life miserable and hindered all activities to develop the community and the people.
This situation prevents people from living together peacefully and hinders any cohesion between individuals.
To get an end, this serious problem needs to find a remedy within the communities themselves; and the actors of the solution for people to speak the same language again will certainly not come from outside.
Thus, the Foundation Chirezi, recognizes the urgency of restoring peace and cohesion to ensure that people continue to live together, proposes to create Clubs of Volunteers for Peace (CVP) in Baraza (Community Forums) and strengthen their capacity to restore love and mutual trust between communities, tribes and ethnic groups living within the ray of action of this project.
Clubs of Volunteers will work in Baraza (Community Forums) as catalysts in the search for peace and reconciliation between different communities which will finally find themselves the solutions to the problems that arise.
Project Objectives
a. Overall objective:
Contribute to the restoration and consolidation of peace and harmonious cohabitation of populations of different tribes, ethnicities and social classes.
b. Specific objectives:
- Create a space for dialogue, exchange, conflict resolution and dialogue between tribes and ethnic and social groups within communities.
- Strengthen the capacities of Clubs of Volunteers for Peace and reconciliation of different communities in peaceful resolution techniques, positive management of conflict and the active non-violence.
Project Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of this project are 75 people from different communities that constitute the Clubs of Volunteers for Peace in Kiliba and Kavinvira to be trained in techniques of peaceful, positive management of conflict and the active non-violence.
However, the indirect beneficiaries are all communities in Kiliba and Kavinvira who will enjoy the fruits of peace, security and reconciliation found in their villages.
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Who is trying to kill those who speak out in the DR Congo? By Floribert Kazingufu
Despites the presence of government security forces and the omnipresent much costing UN peace keeping forces in almost every city of the DR Congo, killings and insecurity continue to be top at the menu of news in the East of DRC. Bukavu, the capital of the province of South Kivu, for example, is no more a place where one can walk and work without fearing for his life, his business and his family. People in Bukavu say killing has become “the simplest thing every one can do. Journalists are killed, clergymen are killed, women are raped, and every person can be the next on the list. No justice, no investigation… Who cares?”
The kidnapping and torture of AKITOWA (Kapalata)has raised many voices against the security forces and all political authorities who are accused of not doing much to protect the innocent population. What happened?
Mr Akitowa is a young man of about 17 years old, studying at Kasale Secondary school in class 4. He is musician who begun to sing and compose popular Congolese songs at his early ages. Talented, he recently composed a song called HATUONE KITU translated in English by “We don’t see anything”. Loved by almost the people of Bukavu, the song became popular and made the singer to become an icon, a celebrity in Bukavu. It is said that the song is bringing a vibrant criticism on the ambitious programme of development of the government of DRC.
Circumstances around his Kidnapping.
The population of Panzi, his residence area, reports that one morning a group of unknown men came at the young boy place, forced him to get in their vehicle and drive him to an unknown location. Akitowa told us this: I was taken at 7.00 in the morning, put in the vehicle; I couldn’t see anything because they put a dark piece of cloth on my eyes. I was beaten and asked many questions about my song. I told them that I composed the song with my friends just for fun but they refused to believe my story. When we arrived at their place, I was given drug to take, was tortured, beaten, and intimidated. I asked them to release me by they refused. One of them told me that I was on the list of people to send to the other world to meet with satan because I was doing politics. I was crying but without help!” After 5 days of chaotic matching of the population of Bukavu, singing songs and asking the security forces to identify the kidnappers and bring back the young musician, he was released. He was immediately sent to the Hospital of Lemera where he stayed for a period of 4 days.
As would charismatic exorcists say, a thirsty demon, hiding his face and tactics, has decided to sow terror in order to impose a grim silence in eastern Congo. Today many questions are on almost every mouth in Bukavu: Who is behind the kidnapping of very young musician like Akitowa, why torturing innocent young boys, who was bothered by his song, who wants to muzzle the press, artists and human rights defenders in East?
More commitment needed
This is the time the population needs more commitment from the security forces and the authorities to arrest the perpetrators and send them to justice. A growing opinion is also now calling for more in-depth and serious investigations in the previous cases of assassination journalists and attacks of clergymen. Where is the state of Law in DR Congo?
Besides the kidnappings and killings, many new facts continue to sow panic in Bukavu: the terrible armed band known as FENDER, the land conflicts and disputes, women rapes and abuses, impunity, corruption etc…
Although officials give enthusiastic reports on the improvement of security conditions in the East of DR Congo, the daily scenes of terror and insecurity show clearly that much remains to be done primarily to ensure peace, security, reconciliation, freedom of expression, and fully guarantee safe life, justice and human rights to the innocent population of Bukavu in particular and of the whole of East of DR Congo in general.
If nothing is done then not only the young man will sing the song “Hatuone kitu” but the whole population which needs action and results than heaven in very good words!
Floribert Kazingufu
Fondation Chirezi
Baraza of peace of Bukavu
FOCHI asbl
@October 2009